Defending champ Evans headlines Slam Dunk contest

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Utah Jazz forward Jeremy Evans will attempt
to repeat as NBA Slam Dunk champion during All-Star weekend, to be held Feb.
16 at Toyota Center in Houston.

Joining the 2012 champ in the dunk competition will be Eric Bledsoe of the Los Angeles Clippers, Kenneth Faried of the Denver Nuggets, Gerald Green of the Indiana Pacers, Terrence Ross of the Toronto Raptors and James White of the New York Knicks.

The format for Saturday's showcase event has changed from year's past, as the
three participants from the Western Conference will square off against the
three from the Eastern Conference. The top player from each conference will
then battle for the individual crown, while the conferences will accumulate
points throughout the four All-Star Skills Competitions for an overall title.

The 3-point contest will feature Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, Kyrie
Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Steve Novak of the New York Knicks, Ryan
Anderson of the New Orleans Hornets, Matt Bonner of the San Antonio Spurs and
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

Last year's champion, Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves, is on the
injured list.

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs will defend his title as Skills Challenge
champ against Jrue Holiday of the Philadelphia 76ers, Brandon Knight of the
Detroit Pistons, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, Jeremy Lin of
the Houston Rockets, and Jeff Teague of the Atlanta Hawks.

The Shooting Stars competition features two teams from the East and West.
Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat, Brook Lopez of the Brooklyn Nets, Swin Cash of
the WNBA's Chicago Sky and Tamika Catchings of the WNBA's Indiana Fever will
join legends Muggsy Bogues and Dominique Wilkins for the East. For the West,
James Harden of the Houston Rockets, Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City
Thunder, Maya Moore of the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx and Tina Thompson of the
WNBA's Seattle Storm will join Rockets legends Sam Cassell and Robert Horry.